A brief-yet-ongoing journal of all things Carmi. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll reach for your mouse to click back to Google. But you'll be intrigued. And you'll feel compelled to return following your next bowl of oatmeal. With brown sugar. And milk.

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Saturday, September 17, 2005

A watery ride home

I often use my bike ride home from work as an opportunity to decompress from the day. The 25-to-30-minute ride gives me a chance to toss ideas around my head without worry of interruption. It's my only "alone time" of the day, and I cherish it.

I always try to have a camera with me to capture whatever tickles my fancy along the way. Part of the ride takes me past the Thames River. This path is a little longer and a little hillier than simply sticking to the streets, but it's a whole lot more inpirational. The tree canopy totally blocks out the rest of the world. The hushed sound of the forest is interrupted only by the burbling of the water whenever the path edges closer to the water. It's hard to believe that I get to experience this a mere five minutes away from my office.

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped next to the spot on the river where exposed rocks make for a gorgeous vista for anyone who takes the time to look. I'd been telling myself for years that I, too, should take the time to get off my bike and just appreciate it all. But I was always too busy or otherwise occupied to listen to myself.

As it was, I was late getting home, and I really shouldn't have stopped. I was feeling rushed after a busy day, and I was looking forward to a night of work as well. I didn't have the time, but something compelled me to get off my bike for a closer look.

I carefully walked out on the flat, dry rocks to the edge of the flowing water, and started shooting. As soon as I did, I felt relaxed for the first time that day. I just let my eye wander along the glassy surface of the river as I looked for images that would help me remember this moment. I wanted whatever pictures I got to remind me why water has such a calming effect.

I think this is the one image that manages to do this. I hope you agree.

(Please click on the image to see it in full-size.)

Your turn - a 2-parter:

The first three words that come to mind as you view this picture are...

What images can bring your blood pressure down? What things should I be looking for the next time I'm out on my bike with my camera safely tucked in my bag? You ask, and I'll shoot it and post it here.

42 comments:

Michele sent me today, and as always, I love the picture you take, and the thoughful things you write about them. You don't sound like someone who only had 30 minutes of downtime, you come across as someone is in the downtime mode all the time. Please take that as a compliment. :-)

I saw the most beautiful cloud formation driving back from a meeting yesterday. Don't know if I could have captured the texture and subtle shading with a camera...from now on my camera is going with me.

SmoothReflectionLiquidHere via Michele's, but I pop by often. YOur posts are always thoughtful, your pictures beautiful.Taking nature walks brings down my blood pressure. I enjoy finding wildflowers along the river edges, or in the underbrush. And if I happen to come across a little toad, it's made my day!

Clouds, I love clouds. All shapes and sizes. I am also on a shadow kick. B&W shadow pics really tickle my fancy right now. I took a pictures of an interesting no parking sign the other day. I should post it for you,if you want to see it.

Lovely picture and post. The words that come to mind - peaceful, glass-like and swirling.

I've only recently started to ride my bike to work - it's a 40-minute journey - and each time I usually see something that makes me wish I'd taken my camera along. The other day I had to stop my bike to let a flock of ducks wander across the path. It was hilarious! And then on Thursday night I saw the Queen and Prince Phillip trundle past in an understated black car with a police escort.

By the way, I think it's cute that your London has a river Thames too! :)

Wow, ya learn something new every day. I thought the Thames was only in England. Shouldn't it be "New Thames"? ha-ha.

coolclearclean

I love sunsets and then the stars. Hard to take pictures of stars though, and actually they are a little too exciting. I guess the ocean really does it for me; I can stare at it all day long and then leave the door open to sleep to the sound of the waves.

cleansingcalmingcoolThat was a pleasant experience. Ocean photos work the best for me but any kind of water images always bring my blood pressure and my stress level down. I've been trying to discipline myself to walk everynight around sunset to watch the sky. Last night I walked to the ridge with my husband and saw a magnificent sunrise. But my digital camera doesn't work well in a mix of light/dark scenes. Next time I'll bring my regular camera.

Hey, I don't mind the word verification codes at all. I'm just noticing that they would make great letters to play scrabble with...all those Zs, Qs, Js, Vs, and etc. The one below has 2 Xs! You probably have to be a scabble player to understand my fascination with it.

Hi Carmi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. The first 3 words I think of are beauty, peace, and coolness. I too am calmed by water and nature as a whole. I mountain bike on a trail in Georegtown, TX that follows the San Gabriel river every weekend. It is a very secluded trail, just me and the deer. I also take my camera with me but have yet to capture any of the deer on film. One day!

Michelle sent me... love your picture. My three words: "take me home" I love rivers and rocks. As for what image lowers my blood pressure, i like looking at water and the sound of flowing water or waves has even greater impact

Thanks for visiting my blog. I love what you said today in yours. I also admire that you ride your bike like that--what a great way to appreciate the earth and stay in good shape! I'd love to see pictures of open grassy fields. I grew up in the flat plains of Texas and worked on my grandfather's ranch land. It would remind me of home.

I live in the other London on the Thames. When the tide comes in the crashing sounds like "the ocean". It make me feel alive and fills me with this electric feeling...happiness.love your blog, visit often.